Malcolm Rivera
The Preamble of the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines is an important part of the country's foundation and a crucial element for every Filipino to understand. The Preamble, as the introductory part of the Philippine Constitution, sets out the aspirations and ideals of the Filipino people, including the desire to establish a just and humane society, promote the common good, and secure the blessings of independence and democracy. It is considered so significant that many students studying law and political science memorise it, along with its Tagalog version, to fully grasp the meaning and purpose behind each word.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 1987 |
| People | Sovereign Filipino people |
| Purpose | To build a just and humane society and establish a government that embodies the ideals and aspirations of the people |
| Government | A government that promotes the common good, conserves and develops the patrimony of the nation, and secures the blessings of independence and democracy, under the rule of law |
| Rule of Law | Truth, justice, freedom, love, equality, and peace |
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What You'll Learn
- The Preamble is the introductory part of the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines
- The document invokes God's aid in building a just and humane society
- It establishes a government that embodies Filipino ideals and aspirations
- The Preamble promotes the common good and patrimony conservation
- It secures independence and democracy for the Filipino people and their posterity
The Preamble is the introductory part of the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines
The Preamble is the first and introductory part of the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines. It is considered an integral part of the constitution, and every Filipino is expected to know and understand its meaning. College students studying law and political science are often required to memorise the Preamble as part of their introductory learning of the Philippine Constitution.
The Preamble of the 1987 Constitution reads:
> "We, the sovereign Filipino people, imploring the aid of Almighty God, in order to build a just and humane society, and establish a Government that shall embody our ideals and aspirations, promote the common good, conserve and develop our patrimony, and secure to ourselves and our posterity, the blessings of independence and democracy under the rule of law and a regime of truth, justice, freedom, love, equality, and peace, do ordain and promulgate this Constitution."
The Preamble sets out the intentions and aspirations of the Filipino people in establishing their government and society. It emphasises the importance of sovereignty, justice, freedom, and equality, as well as the desire to promote the common good and conserve the nation's patrimony.
The 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines is divided into various sections and articles, each addressing specific aspects of the country's governance and legal framework. Following the Preamble, the Constitution outlines the National Territory, Declaration of Principles and State Policies, Bill of Rights, Citizenship, Suffrage, and the various departments of the government, including the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches.
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The document invokes God's aid in building a just and humane society
The Preamble is the first part of the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines. It establishes the authority of the Filipino people in ordaining and promulgating the constitution with God's aid. The document invokes God's aid in building a just and humane society through a government that promotes the common good while securing independence, democracy, and peace under the rule of law.
The Preamble states:
> We, the sovereign Filipino people, imploring the aid of Almighty God, in order to build a just and humane society and establish a Government that shall embody our ideals and aspirations, promote the common good, conserve and develop our patrimony, and secure to ourselves and our posterity the blessings of independence and democracy under the rule of law and a regime of truth, justice, freedom, love, equality, and peace, do ordain and promulgate this Constitution.
This passage emphasizes the religious nature of the Filipino people, acknowledging the existence of a Supreme Being that guides their destinies and the destiny of their nation. The reference to God in the Preamble is also reflected in the oath taken by the President, Vice-President, or Acting President of the Philippines, which includes the phrase "So help me God."
The 1987 Constitution includes key changes from previous versions, such as inserting phrases about building a just society, emphasizing the rule of law, and including love as a governing principle to unite Filipinos. The document also outlines the national territory of the Philippines, which includes the Philippine archipelago and all other territories over which the Philippines has sovereignty or jurisdiction.
Overall, the Preamble to the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines invokes God's aid in building a just and humane society by establishing a government that promotes the common good, secures independence and democracy, and upholds values such as truth, justice, freedom, love, equality, and peace.
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It establishes a government that embodies Filipino ideals and aspirations
The Preamble is the first part of the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines. It is an integral part of the constitution, and every Filipino is expected to know and understand its meaning. The Preamble begins with the words, "We, the sovereign Filipino people, imploring the aid of Almighty God, in order to build a just and humane society and establish a Government that shall embody our ideals and aspirations...
The Filipino people, with the help of Almighty God, aim to establish a government that reflects their aspirations and ideals. This government should promote the common good, conserve and develop the country's patrimony, and secure for its citizens and their descendants the blessings of independence and democracy. The values that the government should embody include truth, justice, freedom, love, equality, and peace.
The preamble also emphasizes the importance of the rule of law, with the government working to ensure that no person is detained solely for their political beliefs and aspirations. It promotes the idea of a just and humane society, where excessive fines, cruel or degrading punishment, and involuntary servitude are prohibited. The death penalty is also abolished, except for compelling reasons involving heinous crimes.
The Filipino constitution also outlines the development of a self-reliant and independent national economy, controlled by Filipinos. It encourages private enterprise and provides incentives for necessary investments. The state recognizes the importance of communication and information in nation-building and guarantees equal access to opportunities for public service.
The preamble is a powerful statement of the Filipino people's aspirations for their government and society, and it sets the tone for the rest of the constitution, which outlines the specific rights, responsibilities, and structure of the government.
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The Preamble promotes the common good and patrimony conservation
The Preamble to the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines is an important document that outlines the purpose and philosophy of the country's constitution. It is considered integral to understanding the origins and intentions of the constitution and is often memorised by law and political science students.
The Preamble states that the sovereign Filipino people, with God's aid, are establishing a government that promotes the common good and conserves their patrimony. By promoting the common good, the government aims to create a just and humane society that embodies the ideals and aspirations of its citizens. This includes securing rights, privileges, and concessions for qualified Filipinos, especially in the national economy and patrimony.
Conserving their patrimony refers to the Filipino people's desire to protect and pass on the properties and values inherited from their forefathers. This includes the country's natural resources and cultural heritage. The Constitution includes provisions for the conservation and sustainable development of the country's lands, forests, and natural parks. It also recognises the rights of indigenous cultural communities to their ancestral lands and promotes their economic, social, and cultural well-being.
The Preamble's emphasis on promoting the common good and conserving patrimony reflects the Filipino people's commitment to justice, freedom, and peace. It guides the government's policies and actions to ensure the prosperity and well-being of its citizens, both in the present and for future generations.
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It secures independence and democracy for the Filipino people and their posterity
The preamble to the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines is an important statement of the values and aspirations of the Filipino people. It sets out the purpose and guiding principles of the Constitution, and every Filipino student of law and political science is expected to memorise and understand its meaning.
The preamble begins with the words: "We, the sovereign Filipino people..." and goes on to state the intentions of the Filipino people to "build a just and humane society" and "establish a Government that shall embody our ideals and aspirations". It is within this context that the preamble states its purpose to "secure to ourselves and our posterity, the blessings of independence and democracy".
The Philippines gained independence from the United States in 1946, and the 1935 Constitution provided the framework for a democratic state. However, the country faced challenges in fully realising its democratic ideals due to factors such as inequality and the concentration of power among a few elite families. The preamble's assertion of sovereignty and commitment to democracy reflect the Filipino people's determination to address these issues and secure a just and independent future for themselves and future generations.
By including this statement in the preamble, the Filipino people are expressing their desire for a government that embodies their ideals, promotes the common good, and upholds the rule of law, truth, justice, freedom, love, equality, and peace. It is a declaration of their commitment to a democratic society, where the power to choose is held sacred, and where there is a vibrant public dialogue and interaction between the government and its citizens.
The preamble, therefore, serves as a reminder of the Filipino people's aspirations for independence and democracy, and it continues to guide the nation's political and institutional framework.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the preamble is the first part of the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines.
The preamble sets out the ideals and aspirations of the sovereign Filipino people, including the desire to build a just and humane society, promote the common good, and secure the blessings of independence and democracy.
Every Filipino must know and understand the meaning of the preamble by heart. Students of law and political science in college typically memorize the preamble as an introductory part of learning the Philippine Constitution.
